Would a casino help or hurt Toowoomba? Experts weigh in

THE prospect of a casino coming to Toowoomba has drawn a mixed response from business and health experts.

The views come after Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise confirmed it had been approached by a developer look at our region as the next tourist destination.

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce general manager Leanne Gillam said a casino would keep the town viable to international tourists.

"There's a thought that tourism will stop in Brisbane, so that means we have extra validity for people to come out to Toowoomba," she said.

"International business tourism would be a real possibility.

"Now that the airport is there, it's a game-changer.

"We've got central apartments and all the great hotels and motels to support the business tourists."

Toowoomba meets several of the criteria required to be eligible for the State Government's proposal.

Ms Gillam said the concept would not only improve traditional recreational tourists but also bring more conferences to town.

"People are always looking for larger conference centres so you can improve conference tourism through this," she said.

"In Toowoomba, being a regional hub here, it's going to make any conferencing and events very viable because of affordability."

But Lifeline gambling addiction expert Kellie McDonald has reservations about the prospect of bringing more gambling outlets to Toowoomba.

The counsellor and community educator for Gambling Help Toowoomba said Lifeline had noticed a rise in the number of clients with gambling problems.

"In the past 12 months, we have witnessed an increase in the number of clients to our Gambling Help service to help bring their gambling under control," she said.

"Evidence suggests that anytime you increase access to gambling opportunities, you increase the likelihood of more problem gamblers with negative impacts on their families and themselves via their increased gambling."